Chelsea London, United Kingdom
Renovated
2016
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Design Luxe HeritageOutside the door
The house
StarhotelsVenetian townhouse bolthole
Victorian townhouse architecture meets Venetian glamour across dark, moody lounges layered with etched mirrors, limestone, and rich velvets.
“Rooms feel contemporary and stylish, done up in a variety of creams and grays, with poster beds, oak floors, and botanical prints decorating the walls;”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Interiors styled with smoky Venetian églomisé mirrors, dark Italian velvets, Carrara marble, and four-poster beds.
Notable
Seated arrival tea, dedicated concierge service, fine Italian linens, and fragrant bath amenities in every room.
Notable
A row of nineteenth-century red-brick Victorian townhouses backing directly onto the private lawns of Egerton Gardens.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler.
Once you’re in your room, of course, you’re in Hempel-land, where things are a bit moody, surprisingly monochrome, and appealingly sexy.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Set on a quiet residential crescent in Knightsbridge, the hotel is steps from the Victoria and Albert Museum and Harrods.
The rooms
Bespoke four-poster beds anchor monochrome bedrooms, complemented by oak floors, fine Italian linens, and views over private Egerton Gardens.
The hammam and gym
A private steam hammam is lined with grey marble, set alongside a 24-hour Technogym fitness studio.
Dogs stay too.
The Franklin Bar
Mirror-lined walls frame a 1920s-style cocktail lounge pouring martinis and bespoke London-distilled gins.
The Franklin Restaurant
Marble tables and velvet banquettes overlook Egerton Gardens, serving Piedmont-inspired Italian dishes alongside afternoon tea.
How it began
Designer Anouska Hempel unified a row of nineteenth-century red-brick townhouses for Italian group Starhotels, opening in 2016.
Good to know
Stay here
The Franklin
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London
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.